A Guide for Treating Fever in Children

We've all been there: You're awakened in the middle of the night by the pained cries of your young child, and you notice that her forehead is hot to the touch. You take her temperature, and the reading -- 102°F -- sends your heart racing. Your first instinct is to speed-dial the doctor. But in most cases here's what experts say you should do instead: Take a deep breath and relax.

In a way, a fever is a good thing: It means your child's immune system is doing its job by fighting an underlying cold or another infection. The brain commands the body's temperature to rise, which in turn directs the white blood cells to attack and destroy invading viruses and bacteria. Amazingly, healthy kids of all ages usually can tolerate a fever of up to 106°F with no complications. Chances are your child's temperature will never approach that scary number, but be prepared: It's almost inevitable that sometime during his first three years his temperature will climb into the triple digits.

Will my child have a febrile seizure?

He could. A febrile seizure is caused by a quick spike in temperature that disrupts the brain's normal electrical activity. Your child is prone if febrile seizures run in your family or if he's had one within the past year. Though the typical symptoms -- rolling of the eyes, twitching, and even vomiting -- are disturbing to watch, febrile seizures rarely harm a child and don't predispose him to epilepsy. If he has one, keep him on the floor and away from sharp objects, and turn his head sideways so that his tongue doesn't obstruct his breathing. Call 911 if it lasts longer than five minutes.

Can a high fever cause my child to have hallucinations?

Though adults are more likely to hallucinate from an elevated body temperature than kids are, it's possible your feverish child could start seeing things that aren't really there (such as a doll floating across her room or bugs crawling on her). High fevers -- 102°F or above -- are more likely to cause hallucinations. While they may be frightening for your child, they're harmless.

If my child's fever rises above 106°F, can it cause brain damage?

Yes, a fever that high can cause permanent injury, but it's almost never the result of illness alone. It's most likely to occur if your child has heatstroke (such as from being left in a hot car during the summer).